No injuries in narrow lightning miss

Emergency medical services evaluated and released three people who were “right next to a lightning strike about 6:55 p.m. Saturday at Van Buren, Riverfront Park, but they weren’t directly struck,” said Carter County Emergency Management Agency Director Curt Majors of Van Buren.

Those three were part of a group of between four to five people “who actually were in that vicinity, and so they felt like they got struck,” Majors said. “No one went to the hospital that we’re aware of. They were all very, very lucky. There were people, basically tubers and boaters, trying to get off the river when a lightning strike hit just at the north end of the river front park on the (Current) River.”

Majors doesn’t have their names and where they live.

“It was kind of a madhouse for a while,” he said. “I felt like they were in a bad spot. They were all trying to get off the river as fast as they could. There’s limited places to go and take shelter on the river. So they did what they could, but it was just unfortunate, there was just a lot of lightning in that storm. It was a big deal at the time and there. Luckily, everybody’s safe and sound.”

Majors emphasized, “There is no safe place outside when thunderstorms are in the area. If you hear thunder, you are likely within striking distance of the storm. Just remember, when thunder roars, go indoors. Too many people wait far too long to get to a safe place when thunderstorms approach. Unfortunately, these delayed actions lead to many of the lightning deaths and injuries in the United States.”

He would like to use this as a learning experience for everybody to help prevent injuries or deaths from lightning.

“You don’t have to be in or near water to be in danger of a lightning strike,” Majors said.

There is little you can do to substantially reduce your risk if you are outside in a thunderstorm. The only completely safe action is to get inside a safe building or vehicle.

Majors stressed, “plan ahead” when you are a coach of an outdoor sports team, at the beach or lake, camping, climbing and other wilderness activities.

When a safe location is not nearby, and if you absolutely cannot get to safety, you can slightly lessen the threat of being struck by using the following tips.

“Listen to the weather forecast for the outdoor area you plan to visit. The forecast may be very different from the one near your home. If there is a high chance of thunderstorms, stay inside,” he said. “Avoid open fields, the top of a hill or a ridge top. Stay away from tall, isolated trees or other tall objects. If you are in a forest, stay near a lower stand of trees.”

If you are in a group, spread out to avoid the current traveling between group members.

If you are camping in an open area, set up camp in a valley, ravine or other low area, he said. Remember, a tent offers no protection from lightning. Stay away from water, wet items, such as ropes, and metal objects, such as fences and poles. Water and metal do not attract lightning but they are excellent conductors of electricity. The current from a lightning flash will easily travel for long distances.

“But don’t kid yourself - you are not safe outside,” Majors said. “Know the weather patterns of the area you plan to visit. For example, in mountainous areas, thunderstorms typically develop in the early afternoon, so plan to hike early in the day and be down the mountain by noon.”